K2 growing problem in S.A.

Updated 9:51 am, Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Leon Valley City Council enacted a new drug ordinance against the sale of K2 "spice."

AP Photo

Leon Valley City Council enacted a new drug ordinance against the sale of K2 "spice."

AP Photo

K2 growing problem in S.A.

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Synthetic marijuana goes by many aliases, but perhaps none more misleading than its own misnomer.

“It's not 'marijuana,' it's chemicals,” said Miguel Fernandez, the director of the Poison Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center. “Call them synthetic 'cannabinoids,' they attach to the same parts of the brain (as marijuana), but people looking for euphoria aren't the ones being called in with irregular heart rates, hallucinations or seizures.”

According to San Antonio Police Department Lt. Kevin Luzius, use of synthetic cannabinoids – popularly termed as K2 or Spice and often disguised as incense, tobacco, bath salts and potpourri – is a growing problem around San Antonio and in parts of the city's South Side.

These synthetics produce effects closer to PCP or LSD than those traditionally associated with marijuana, and some variations of the drug have been discovered to be almost 100 times more potent.

“These drugs have been banned (since 2011),” said SAPD representative Sandra Gutierrez. “They're far more dangerous than natural marijuana, they're illegal, and we need to help educate people about the risks involved.”

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Fernandez cautioned against the press treating this like past drug “phases” of American society. Fighting against these drugs means fighting against a constantly evolving opponent, he explained.

“Regulating these drugs means putting restrictions (on paper) on specific chemical compounds,” he said. “The people making the drugs just tweak the formula, and it's not illegal anymore. I'd almost call it a 'designer drug' at this point.”

While State Sen. Carlos Uresti is not directly involved in this legislative fight, his representatives said he would potentially support a responsible approach to maintaining Southside health. State Sen. Joan Huffman, on the other hand, is currently spearheading the effort to bring a bill, SB 263, to the floor for debate.

“We introduced the bill in January, and we're excited about it,” he said. “Honestly, it has a great chance to clear (committee) with bipartisan support, and it would really (broaden) the scope of these regulations.”

If passed, SB 263 would enable the law to keep up with “street chemists” by providing a more comprehensive ban on dozens of chemical variations of synthetics as well as drugs that slip through these cracks but have the same intended effects.

Hillery said SB 263's language is still being tweaked in committee, but was scheduled Thursday for public hearing.

Until the bill passes, users of some unregulated synthetics will continue to float in a gray area of the law. Fernandez said this makes these cases increasingly difficult for law enforcement to prosecute, and far more expensive for medical personnel to diagnose.

“When we test for these drugs we have a general idea of what we're looking for, and we treat everyone the same way,” he said. “Unfortunately, the more specific we want to get (with identifying the exact compound) the more expensive the tests get.”

Aside from medical purposes, Luzius said shifting compounds make the drug harder for even police canine units to detect in person.

“We're getting more practice at it,” Luzius said. “But we're still just working to make the 'unknown' less difficult.”

While K2, Spice, and other synthetics used to be sold over the counters at places like Planet K, “head shops,” gas stations or convenience stores, Fernandez said he suspects it is still relatively easy for stores to keep selling it discreetly.

“This stuff is disguised in all sorts of different packaging,” he said. “And the biggest single reported group of users is those under 20 (years old), so if these kids can't just get them in the stores – they still know how to get it online or from their friends.”

When looking at the reported cases of synthetic cannabinoid abuse – Texas totaled more than 1,600 from January 2011 to March 2013 – Bexar County made up about 9 percent, according to data from the South Texas Poison Control Center. That's compared to 2.2 percent from Travis County and 14.8 percent from Dallas County.

The drug is no stranger to the young or old. Reported cases ranged in age from as old as 75 to as young as 7.

“I could talk on and on about the dangers of this drug or what it does to your body,” Fernandez said. “But what scares me the most is that 98 cases (5.8 percent) were 'unintentional.' Someone just left this stuff out on the counter and some unsuspecting person, probably that 7-year-old, just put it in their mouth.

“What's alarming is that these calls are only the reported cases,” Fernandez said. “Our biggest defense in treating exposure to this drug is honesty, when it's a life-or-death situation, most people will tell you, straight-up, what is in their system.

“Still, the people who need the most help are youth (with developing brains) who could be more affected by the drug, some kids heading down to South Padre (to party) are the most likely to lie because they are afraid to get in trouble with their parents.”

Fernandez said that his hospital cannot pinpoint the areas the emergency calls are coming from, but said that many on the South Side might be reluctant to call in, even for potentially life-saving information, simply because a hospital representative might not speak their language.

The poison control center offers a bilingual, toll-free hotline at 800-222-1222.

While the effects of the drug continue to linger, Fernandez said they won't remain under the radar.

“Once the novelty wears off, the word about these synthetics gets around – like with any new drug,” he said. “After we've dealt with (synthetic cannabinoids), we'll just (be) on the lookout for the next 'artificial' drug disguised as some recycled substance everyone has forgotten about.”